[Reader-list] Children rise against Endosulfan

[T Peter]

Children rise against Endosulfan


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article1821010ec e?

Special Correspondent

Children from the coastal areas of the city staged a demonstration and
a dharna in front of the Secretariat here on Thursday urging the
government to support the call for a ban on Endosulfan.
The agitation was organised by Theeradesa Balavedi, children's wing of
the Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF).
The children posted cards urging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to
declare a nation-wide ban on the deadly pesticide that was responsible
for human suffering in Kasaragod and other areas.
Inaugurating the dharna, KSMTF secretary Anto Elias said that by
opposing a ban on Endosulfan, the Union government was going against
popular sentiments.
KSMTF State committee member Maglene Peter said the federation would
organise a mass movement demanding a ban on Endosulfan. She said women
and children would be in the forefront of the agitation.
Ms. Peter said the residue of pesticides used by farmers in fields
would find its way into the sea.
This would affect the fish stocks and pollute the marine environment.
She said this warranted a mass agitation to create awareness among the
public of the harmful effects of the pesticide.
KSMTF leaders Pushparani, Jermy Roy, Celin Antony, and Leejiya Newton
addressed the dharna.